The United States has deleted a social media post that showed a map of India including PoK and Aksai Chin as Indian territory. The post was shared by the US Trade Representative on February 7. It was part of an announcement on the India-US trade deal.   The map drew attention because it did not mark the regions as disputed. In the past, US maps showed these areas as disputed. Analysts said the move was unusual. Later, the post was removed without explanation.   India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Aksai Chin, are integral parts of the country.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the government over the India-US trade deal during the Budget debate in Lok Sabha. He called the deal a “sell-out” and a “surrender.” Gandhi said India should negotiate with the US as an equal. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of weakening India’s sovereignty.   He raised concerns over tariffs, digital trade rules and data control. Gandhi said farmers and textile workers would suffer. He also claimed energy security was at risk. The BJP rejected his charges. The speech marked a fresh attempt by Congress to set a new political narrative.

Several actors and politicians have offered support to Rajpal Yadav after he surrendered in a ₹9 crore cheque bounce case. The actor is currently in Tihar jail. The case is linked to losses from his 2010 film. The Delhi High Court refused to extend his surrender deadline.   Sonu Sood offered him a film and advance payment. Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, David Dhawan and Varun Dhawan also showed support. Singer Guru Randhawa paid an advance for a music video. Tej Pratap Yadav announced ₹11 lakh in aid. Others urged the industry to stand with him. (PC: PTI)

A four-day cold weather health alert has been issued for central and northern England. The warning runs from Friday to Monday. Officials say vulnerable people face higher health risks. Health services may also see more demand.   The Met Office has warned of snow and ice in northern England and most of Scotland. One to two centimetres of snow is expected. Higher areas could see up to 10cm. Friday will be the coldest day. Temperatures may fall to 0C in some cities. Heavy rain continues in parts of Scotland. Milder weather may return later in the weekend.

US President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday. The meeting comes as talks with Iran over its nuclear programme enter a critical stage. Netanyahu is expected to urge Trump to demand limits on Iran’s missiles and support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.   Iran has said it is ready to limit its nuclear work in return for sanctions relief. But it has rejected other demands. Trump has warned of possible military action if no deal is reached. Both sides say a diplomatic solution is still possible. (PC: AFP via Getty Images)

The United States has revised its factsheet on the India-US trade deal. The updated version removes mention of tariff cuts on “certain pulses.” It also drops references to agricultural goods in a $500 billion purchase plan. The earlier document said India “committed” to buy US farm products. The new version says India “intends” to buy energy, tech and coal products.   The change came after Congress criticised the deal. India is the world’s largest producer of pulses and protects its farmers with high tariffs. The government has said farmers’ interests remain safe and no sensitive sectors were opened.

India’s foreign tourist pattern has shifted, with Gujarat and West Bengal reporting strong growth while Goa and Tamil Nadu saw steep declines. Data shared in the Lok Sabha by Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat showed Gujarat’s foreign tourist arrivals rose 281 percent between 2019 and 2024. West Bengal recorded an 88 percent rise. Goa’s numbers dropped by about 50 percent in the same period. Tamil Nadu saw an 83 percent fall. Maharashtra held the largest share of coastal foreign tourist visits at 17.69 percent during 2019–24. India recorded 20.57 million foreign tourist visits in 2024. The minister shared the figures in a written reply to Parliament. (PC: X)

A 13-year-old boy was arrested after two students were stabbed inside a secondary school in north-west London. The victims, aged 12 and 13, suffered neck injuries and were taken to hospital in serious condition. Witnesses told local media the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack. Police said counter-terror officers are leading the probe due to the circumstances, but the case has not been declared a terrorist incident. Officers reached the school within minutes and later recovered the suspected weapon. The incident happened inside a classroom. Students present are being treated as witnesses. Authorities asked the public to share verified information only. (PC: X)

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri denied allegations linking him to Jeffrey Epstein. Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in the Lok Sabha, Puri said, “I met him only three or four times as part of a peace delegation.”   He said the meetings were official and not linked to Epstein’s crimes. “Our interactions had nothing to do with the charges against him,” Puri added.   The minister said US authorities have released millions of documents and only a few mention him. He stressed that his email exchanges were professional. Epstein was arrested in 2019 on sex trafficking charges and later died in jail.

The Union government has opposed the release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, currently detained under the National Security Act (NSA), stating that there is no medical reason to grant him bail. Authorities said Wangchuk has undergone multiple medical examinations since his detention, and his condition has been consistently reported as stable and healthy. The government emphasized that the reasons for his detention continue to exist and cannot be set aside on health grounds. Wangchuk’s wife had filed a habeas corpus petition seeking his release, claiming his detention was unlawful and that his health was deteriorating, but the Centre firmly denied these claims. The Supreme Court will now consider the matter further. (PC: PTI)